Spider Bite?

[Irritated06]

About 4 years ago I was bitten by a spider on the head of my penis.  I don't really remember the details too clearly, but I do remember seeing a tiny red dot (I guess an open sore) with a raised inflamed area around it.  It itched and was slightly painful.  I don't remember how long it took to go away, maybe a week or so.  Nothing like this has ever returned on my genitals.

This bite occured while staying at my parent's house durnig summber break.  I slept on a matress on the floor of an upstairs room next to the attic.  I had recieved multiple spider bites (all over my body, especially my legs), throughout the duration of my stay.  I would say I was bitten at least once per two weeks, if not more.

This had also happened the previous summer when I stayed with my parents (That is, multiple spider bites all over my body, not on my penis).  All occured when I was sleeping.  We fumigated both years w/ minimal effect.

I have not had any problems since I left home for good.

I was also having sex with my girlfriend that summer, though at the time of the "bite" had not for a while (Lived in different towns).  We would use a diaphram for sex and for unprotected oral sex.  She had no history of genital or oral herpes, but never specifically tested for these conditions.

I have had some recent dermatological problems, which have turned out to be unrelated to Herpes, that have made me concerned about this.  I would not have even considered this bite an issue until I read on the internet (Famvir especially) that Herpes was often mistaken as incect bites.  I was ignorant of this disease until now, then I recalled this event.

At that time I was not concerned about the spider bite on my penis due to the fact that I had them everywhere else...why not my penis?  It looked and felt like all of the other bites I had recieved.  I recieved a very bad spider bite on the scrotum by a spider when I was 10. I figued just bad luck in that area and was not impossible to recieve a bite on the genitals!  At the time, I thought it not severe enough to see a doctor.

I am sorry I can not give you more description on my symptoms or
sexual activity at the time.  This occured quite a wile back and is quite fuzzy.  I doubt you can give clear answers, though I'll ask any way:

1.  How likely is it that it was a Herpes and not a spider bite?

2.  Am I trying to fit pieces an old, almost forggoten memory, to try and make nonsense out of sense?

3.  Am I just wasting my energy being concerned about this?

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I would like to help, but I can't even begin to speculate as to whether your penile lesion might have been herpes.  Clearly the lesions elsewhere on your body weren't herpes.  (As to whether they really were spider bites, I have no opinion.  My impression is that few spiders in fact bite people, and that most "spider bites" in fact are other kinds of dermatitis.  But that is an issue for a dermatologist.)

The best I can do is advise that genital herpes is the most common overall cause of genital sores, especially ones that start with blister-like lesions that then turn into superficial pustules (pimple-like) and later ulcerate or scab over.  If that description is similar to what you had 4 years ago, you might have had herpes.  You could see a health care provider for a blood test to learn whether you have been infected with herpes simplex virus, either type 1 (the cause of oral herpes and some genital cases) or HSV-2 (the usual cause of genital herpes).

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Irritated06]

This was a long shot in the first place.  I don't remember my exact symptoms, duration or sexual activity.  It is neither here, nor there.

[Jerefrancis]

If I were you I'd hit up a dermatologist and get a diagnosis.  Perhaps it was dermatitis or some other skin ailment on your genitals.  It doesn't necessarily have to be pinpointed to herpes.  I wouldn't stress out just yet.